Uncategorized | The Mango Memoirs

A Morning Conversation

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 3 Comments

I caught this conversation this morning between Ella and her friend, Bella. Ella & I made the drive down to Minneapolis yesterday to spend some time with Bella & Shauna and another very good friend, Jen. I was giddy the whole 2 1/2 hours in the car just thinking about hanging out with my girls. We had a delicious meal prepared by Shauna (Super healthy & tasty at the same time? That’s talent.) Right after dinner, Shauna & I threw on our “we actually get to go out without the wee ones” dresses while Jen spent the evening with the girls. (A HUGE thank you for that, Jen!!) And off we went to The Guthrie!

I had not yet been to the new Guthrie location, so it was quite a treat. As soon as I walked in to the immense space of the theatre my heart began to pound. I miss theatre more than I even realized. Big theatre. Huge, elaborate sets with expensive, perfect costumes. Lights and movement and emotion. My heart beats faster just thinking about it. We had the good fortune of seeing the classic Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire. I’ve seen it on stage before, but can you really compare other productions to anything at The Guthrie? It is, without question, in a league of its own. I absolutely loved Stanley & Blanche & Stella in all their Southern…well, I wouldn’t say charm. Everything about the show was incredible. What a way to spend a hot summer evening.

This morning Ella & I are going to do a little second-hand shopping (so good in Minneapolis) before meeting Shauna for coffee at our “regular” coffee shop near the University. It’s so good to be in Minneapolis again. But just for the day.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Three Little Cupcakes

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 0 Comments

Tomorrow is cousin Malena’s first birthday party! She turns one in the 4th but we’ll be celebrating in a park Sunday afternoon. For the party, Ella & I made cupcakes (E provided the moral support…and entertainment). This is a little peek at what we’ve been working on. I’ll post more pictures and recipes after the party. I don’t want to give away too much before the celebration!

Happy birthday, Malena! We love you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Zebra Lovin'

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 0 Comments

This is especially for you, Auntie Kristin. Ella loves her zebra!
(don’t mind my random comments)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Frosting

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 0 Comments

Ella moves a whole lot faster than she did a few weeks ago. I need to let this settle in my head so that I stop doing silly things. For example, don’t leave a cup of water anywhere within reach. Don’t set a basket of freshly folded laundry in the middle of the living room floor. And definitely do not leave the refrigerator open even for a moment without supervision!

Sunday afternoon I made that mistake. I opened the fridge, turned around to grab something off the counter, and when I turned around again, what did I see? A little girl stealing a cupcake off the second shelf and smearing frosting across her lips. How is a mama supposed to react? Probably not by grabbing the camera, but that’s exactly what this mama did. Really, it was so that I could let Pete see what his little girl had done (he was on call at the hospital) but I thought you might smile while watching it as well.

So here’s to sugary frosting, making a grand mess in the kitchen, and loving little moments.

Enjoy.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sweet Peas

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 2 Comments

I could tell you that I tried not to buy these flowers at the farmers market this morning, but I would be flat out lying. I’m not an impulsive shopper, but the moment I saw them I knew I had to have them. (Is it really an impulse buy if the item only costs $1.50?)

I adore sweet peas. I like to think they are a part of my history. It began when I first moved away to college and my boss at the radio station gave me a set of sweet pea scented gifts from Bath & Body Works. That was 10 years ago and it’s still the only bath scent I use. Maybe that seems cheesy, but you know how something just sort of becomes a part of you? Especially a scent. When you smell it a flood of memories comes rushing in. College, theatre, Honduras, and the first few months when Pete and I were dating. The first time I actually saw sweet peas (besides the picture on the front of the fragrance bottle) was my first week of student teaching. Pete special ordered a bouquet for me. They were beautiful, purple blossoms that brightened the room in the middle of winter. And now I often call Ella “Sweet Pea.” So, you see, I do think sweet peas are a part of my history.

And they smell amazing.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Recipe: Double-Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Angela @ The Mango Memoirs • 0 Comments

This is one of my absolute fave cookie recipes. It came from Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook, a collection of delicious and beautiful recipes. (Click here to find the book on Amazon.) The reason I am such a fan of this recipe is that it’s way easy. The cookies come out the same every single time, are super tasty right out of the fridge, and freeze really well. Who doesn’t want to be able to just pull cookies out of the freezer when company is on the way? They’re also amazing with ice cream (but what cookie isn’t?) and make great gifts.

9 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 375. In a heatproof bowl or large mug with a handle, melt 5 ounces of the semisweet chips, the unsweetened chocolate, and the butter in the microwave. Melt it for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval. Once the mixture has melted, set it aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

While the chocolate is cooling, prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking pads.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (you can use a hand mixer if you don’t have an electric one), beat the chocolate mixture and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice during that time.

Add eggs one at a time and mix until completely combined. Beat in vanilla. Add the flour and salt, and beat just until incorporated. (Be careful! The flour will fly everywhere if you go too fast or don’t cover the bowl.) Stir in the remaining 4 ounces of semisweet chips.

Shape 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough at a time into balls and place them about 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

Bake cookies for 10 minutes. Allow them to cool for a minute or two on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies should be kept in an air-tight container no matter where you decide to store them (counter, fridge, or freezer). This recipe makes about 30 cookies.

Side note: After trying multiple cookie scoops, I now use the OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop. It makes the perfect size cookies, rarely sticks, and is very sturdy. (Find it here on Amazon.) Having uniform cookies every time makes baking look much more professional, especially when giving them as gifts.